Joe Biden Steps Down From Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris As President
US President, Joe Biden has stepped down as candidate of the Democrats in the forthcoming elections, saying “it is in the best interest of my party and the country”.
It comes four months before Americans go to the polls, upending the race for the White House, after weeks of intense pressure from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance against Republican Donald Trump at the end of June.
In a letter posted to his social media account, he said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.
And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term”.
He said in his statement he would address the nation on the matter next week.
President Biden thanked his Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she was an “extraordinary partner”.
Biden thereafter endorsed his Vice President Harris to become the Democratic Party’s nominee as he announced he would not seek reelection.
In his words, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he added.